A year later occurred the decisive battle of the Boyne,[1] 1690, at
which King William commanded in person on one side, while James II was
present on the opposite side. William had a somewhat larger force and
by far the greater number of well-armed, veteran troops. The contest
ended with the utter defeat of James. He stood on a hill at a safe
distance, and when he saw that the battle was going against him,
turned and fled to France. William, on the other hand, though
suffering from a wound, led his own men. The cowardly behavior of
James excited the disgust and scorn of both the French and Irish.
"Change kings with us," shouted an Irish officer later, to one of
William's men, "change kings with us, and we'll fight you over again."
[1] Fought in the east of Ireland, on the banks of the river of that
name. (See map facing p. 358.)
The war was brought to an end by the treaty of Limerick (1691), when
about ten thousand Irish soldiers who had fought for James, and who no
longer cared to remain in their own country after their defeat, were
permitted to go to France. "When the wild cry of the women, who stood
watching their departure, was hushed, the silence of death settled
down upon Ireland. For a hundred years the country remained at peace,
but the peace was that of despair."[1] In violation of that treaty, a
severe act was passed against Roman Catholics; they were hunted like
wild beasts, and terrible vengeance was now taken for that Act of
Attainder (S499) which James had issued. Furthermore, England
selfishly closed her own ports and those of her colonies against Irish
products; this policy starved the industry of that unfortunate island.
[1] Green's "Short History of the English People."